Efforts to eliminate single-use plastic straws gained momentum when the state Senate, in a party-line vote Monday, approved a bill that would ban full-service restaurants from providing the straws unless specifically requested by the customer.

While many environmentalists applauded the move, it stopped short of local laws approved by several coastal cities and counties that established outright bans on single-use plastic straws for all restaurants and food vendors.

The state bill, which originally would have applied to all restaurants, was amended to exclude fast-food restaurants because of some critics’ concern that customers planning to drink their soda while driving shouldn’t have to ask for a straw.

“To me, the point on the straws-on-request (bill) is to start the movement,” said Dan Jacobson, a Sacramento lobbyist for Environment California, noting that environmental efforts are often dependent on incremental progress. “Straws-on-request makes a dent in a huge problem and, even more importantly, it educates, changes, behavior and continues a pattern of change.”

The measure was passed 27-12. All Democrats backed the bill. The only Republican to support it was Sen. Pat Bates, R-Laguna Niguel. Neither Bates nor Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, participated in the initial vote but subsequently registered “Yes” votes. Rep. Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, did not cast a vote and the remaining Republicans in the Senate opposed it.

The Assembly, which previously approved the bill 49-25, is expected to approve the Senate’s amended version. The measure would then need Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature to become law, which would take effect Jan. 1.

Beach trash

Straws are the fifth most common item gathered at beach clean-ups, according to 5 Gyres. Those that remain in the ocean typically break down into small particles and can be mistaken for food by marine animals.

Most Republican lawmakers opposed the bill. Assemblyman Matthew Harper, R-Huntington Beach, voted against the measure when it originally passed the Assembly, saying litterers — not restaurants — should be punished. Among those joining Harper in opposing the measure was Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, who said she preferred an incentive-based approach rather than punishment to reduce plastic-straw use.

The bill calls for violators to receive warnings for their first two offenses, with a $25 fine for each day violations continue up to a maximum of $300. It would take effect Jan. 1.

In February, the Malibu City Council voted to ban restaurants and food vendors from offering single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery. In July, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to ban plastic straws as well as takeout containers and food wrappers treated with fluorinated chemicals, which prevent complete disintegration. Manhattan Beach, Santa Cruz, Davis and San Luis Obispo have related restrictions.

Straws have become the focal point of environmentalists’ movement to reduce plastic pollution. It follows a drive against single-use plastic bags, which culminated in 2016 when 52.5 percent of voters cast ballots to uphold state legislators’ ban of the bags given out by groceries and drug stores.

Some businesses have gotten a jump on targeted plastics ahead of statutory mandates. Starbucks and Alaska Airlines are among those who announced they’re phasing out plastic straws. Additionally, the Surfrider Foundation lists several dozen Southern California restaurants that exercise at least seven environment-sensitive practices, including reusable tableware, no polystyrene (Styrofoam) and no plastic takeout bags.

This story was updated to reflect the votes of Sens. Bates and Atkins, who registered their votes after the initial tally.

Martin Wisckol covers coastal environment and development. Previously, he spent two decades as politics reporter and columnist for the Orange County Register. He’s also held reporting positions in Miami, Jacksonville, Detroit and his hometown of San Diego, with an emphasis on land use and urban planning. He is a lifelong surfer and has spent most of his life on the coast. His work has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Headliner Awards, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Florida Press Club and the American Planning Association Florida Chapter.